Agri-business Relationship Manager
The Agribusiness Relationship Manager (Agri RM) is responsible for originating, developing, and managing profitable agribusiness relationships across the entire agricultural value chain, with a strong focus on market-driven agriculture. The role drives business growth through acquisition and management of commercial farmers, aggregators, processors, off-takers, cooperatives, input suppliers, exporters, and other strategic value chain players while supporting primary production financing. The Agri RM creates sustainable ecosystems that improve market access, strengthen value-chain linkages, mobilize deposits, grow quality lending portfolios, and enhance the bank’s position as the preferred agribusiness partner.
Responsibilities
1. Agribusiness Value Chain Development
- Drive agribusiness growth through identification and acquisition of clients across priority agricultural value chains.
- Develop and manage relationships with:
- Commercial and large-scale farmers
- Farmer cooperatives and producer organizations
- Aggregators and collection centers
- Agro-processors and manufacturers
- Off-takers and structured buyers
- Input suppliers and agro-dealers
- Exporters and commodity traders
- Livestock value chain participants
- Build integrated value-chain financing programs that connect producers to reliable markets and suppliers.
- Champion ecosystem-based banking solutions that support agricultural commercialization rather than standalone lending.
2. Market Access & Structured Agriculture Financing
- Lead market-access initiatives by creating partnerships with processors, exporters, retailers, factories, and institutional buyers.
- Structure bankable financing models anchored on signed contracts, warehouse receipt systems, supply agreements, and value-chain relationships.
- Identify and onboard anchor firms and off-takers capable of supporting sustainable agricultural financing programs.
- Promote contract farming, aggregation, and structured trade models that ensure predictable cashflows and facilitate loan repayment.
- Support clients in accessing local, regional, and export markets.
3. Strategic Partnerships & Risk Sharing
- Develop relationships with development partners, guarantee providers, insurers, government agencies, NGOs, and agricultural support institutions.
- Structure and leverage risk-sharing facilities, credit guarantees, blended finance programs, and agricultural insurance solutions.
- Collaborate with technical assistance providers and ecosystem partners to strengthen client capacity and portfolio performance.
- Drive partnerships that de-risk agricultural lending and improve portfolio quality.
4. Relationship Management & Business Growth
- Manage and grow a portfolio of agribusiness clients while deepening wallet share through cross-selling.
- Develop client account plans and relationship growth strategies.
- Mobilize low-cost deposits and drive non-funded income opportunities.
- Serve as the primary relationship contact for assigned clients.
- Deliver exceptional customer experience and ensure high retention levels.
5. Credit Origination & Portfolio Management
- Source, assess, structure, and recommend agribusiness credit facilities.
- Conduct value-chain analysis, cashflow assessments, and risk evaluations.
- Prepare quality credit proposals and ensure compliance with lending policies.
- Monitor portfolio performance and proactively manage early warning signals.
- Maintain a high-quality loan book and minimize portfolio-at-risk (PAR) levels.
6. Primary Agriculture & Farm Financing
- Support financing solutions for crop, livestock, dairy, poultry, fisheries, horticulture, and other primary production enterprises.
- Advise farmers on working capital, seasonal finance, mechanization, irrigation, infrastructure development, and productivity-enhancing investments.
- Maintain strong knowledge of farming systems, production cycles, commodity markets, and emerging agricultural trends.
- Facilitate transition of farmers from subsistence production to commercially viable and market-oriented enterprises.
7. Risk, Governance & Compliance
- Ensure compliance with regulatory, credit, AML/KYC, and internal risk management requirements.
- Maintain sound portfolio monitoring and credit administration standards.
- Promote responsible lending and sustainability principles across the agribusiness portfolio.
- Ensure proper documentation, monitoring, and reporting of all facilities and partnerships.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture, Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Finance, Banking, Business, or related field.
- Professional banking qualification (AKIB/ACIB or equivalent) is an added advantage.
- Minimum 5–7 years’ experience in relationship management, agribusiness banking, agricultural finance, or value-chain development.
- Demonstrated experience working with commercial farmers, processors, aggregators, cooperatives, development partners, and agricultural value-chain actors.
- Strong understanding of agricultural production systems, commodity markets, structured finance, and risk-sharing mechanisms.
